With the US in general sick to death of the Boston-centricity of US sports (Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and the Head of the Charles), the other major US sporting city, New York, has launched plans for a competing head race, the "Head of the East River", to be held on the same weekend as the Head of the Charles.
"Folks should have a choice where they want to race," said Mark Penn of Power10 New York, the parent organization of the new regatta. "Boston's nice, and they have all those quaint bridges, but nothing really says "Balls to the Wall" like NYC. Just look at the Giants."
The new race is likely to give fits to collegiate programs, who now need to decide where to race on that weekend. Early plans for regatta festivities call for a ticker tape parade for boat trailers up Broadway, fireworks over the Hudson on Friday night, and all all-coxswain revue at the Apollo Theater on Saturday night. In one nod to the competition that inspired the effort, the Championship Eight and Single will be judged events.
Long-time rowers with roots in both Boston and New York are sure to have their loyalties tested; long-time sculler and NYAC stalwart Jim Dietz is said to be opting for a chance to race at the new regatta, win his event a bunch of times and set the course record, "so that I can be top dog here too," while former Harvard and US National team standout and New York resident Dick Cashin is as yet undecided. "I'm thinking of having both organizing committees do an erg test, then I'll row with, and at, the faster race," commented Cashin. "No sense in doing this halfway."